'Apocalyptic explosion'

Artist Anna Fox Ryan found inspiration for her latest exhibit in industrial factories lining the Savannah River and in daily headlines about global warming, climate change and oil dependency.

"What If?," a collection of 10 oil paintings on display at Gallery Espresso, is driven by a series of increasingly urgent environmental questions. "What if nothing changed and industry continued chugging oil, choking our economy and churning out pollution?," Ryan asks in her artist statement. "What if the machines that destroy us become the relics of our existence?"

Thought-provoking

In a powerful series of dark, thought-provoking oil paintings, Ryan explores the larger implications of our fossil fuel-driven economy, which ultimately culminates with a series of seven "Apocalyptic Explosion" paintings. In each of these compositions, orange, yellow, ivory and amber pigment swirls to create gorgeous fireballs ignited by vague, unnamed industrial accidents. Using thick layers of impasto as well as delicate, understated brushstrokes, Ryan creates urgent testaments to our nation's dependence upon oil, encouraging meditations on the oil crisis as the colors smolder, sizzle and burn.

Ryan began her brooding reflection on America's dependence on oil while taking a landscape painting class at the Savannah College of Art and Design last year. She eventually created large scale paintings like "The Savior," a 47-inch by 47-inch oil painting that depicts electrical machinery and the infrastructure of power in all their technological glory.

Using bleak shades of industrial gray and polluted-river brown, she paints a metal turbine, suspended spread eagle between smoke stacks and surrounded by power lines, electrical towers and other devices devoted to generating, conducting and delivering electricity. This painting seems to critique the near-messianic power invested in our power grid, suggesting that our society has elevated oil to a spiritual, almost sacramental level.

"My latest series of oil paintings is a confrontational interpretation of the physical and psychological possibilities of our world, were it to continue on its negligent path," she explained. " 'What If?' depicts realistic industrial structures in unrealistic environments to emphasize irregularities in our current global situation, in which our industry, economy and lifestyles are fueled and driven by oil."

Cathartic and apocalyptic

On the one hand, her glowing industrial fireballs can be understood as cathartic and cleansing, a sign of a much-needed transition from an outmoded old system of energy that clears room for new, innovative solutions. On the other hand, they can be read as apocalyptic manifestations of the end of humanity as we know it, as molten symbols of self-destruction. Ryan believes her work can be interpreted either way, depending on the viewer's perspective.

"I feel like hope plays a huge role in the current situation," she said. "You can either see the apocalypse or you can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

The response to "What If?" has been positive, reports Jessica Barnhill, art director at Gallery Espresso. "People find them very moving, even with the heavy subject matter," she said. "They love the fact that they are so well executed."

Ryan is thrilled that the exhibit is encouraging viewers to discuss the current state of America's dependence upon oil. "It's sparking interest and conversation," she said. "I want to get people thinking about these issues."